Blog

Can lessons learned from power generation, petrochemical and heavy industrial demolition projects help accelerate decommissioning within the nuclear sector?

RVA Group supporting Sellafield Ltd's Remediation Accelerated Decommissioning programme in the nuclear sector

That was the challenge RVA recently explored while supporting Sellafield Ltd’s Remediation Accelerated Decommissioning (RAD) team in the development of alternative decommissioning arrangements.

Drawing on over 30 years of global demolition and decommissioning experience, our team worked with key stakeholders to assess how proven industry practices from outside the nuclear sector could be adapted to support safer, more efficient project delivery within one of Europe’s most complex nuclear environments.

Through a series of collaborative workshops and process reviews, RVA developed a structured framework of alternative arrangements and methodologies to support future demolition and decommissioning projects across the Sellafield site.

The resulting programme framework is now being reviewed for integration into future working practices, helping to support the ongoing drive to accelerate hazard reduction and site remediation activities.

We are pleased to have supported this important initiative and would like to thank the Sellafield RAD team for their collaboration throughout the project.

Share

RVA Safety Training Day – Strong Engagement and Valuable Insights

RVA Group safety leadership and teamwork on the GALP refinery demolition project, Portugal

RVA recently delivered its spring ‘26 Safety Training Day, bringing together the team via a mix of in-person and online attendance. It was great to see such strong engagement and open discussion across all participants. Bespoke training programmes, continued professional development and understanding how the law is developing are all parts of how RVA remains current in an ever changing sector of engineering.

The topics selected for the day focused on two key topics -shaping our approach to working in decommissioning in 2026.

The morning session was focused on waste management, circular economy and recovery of materials for reuse. So, the question was; how on an industrial demolition project, do we balance the risk of more labour-intensive dismantling methods to maximise opportunities for reuse, whilst recognising that there is a point on the waste hierarchy scale where recycling drivers have to give way to those of safety.

As well as refreshing our knowledge of the UK and European waste management regulations, discussions included which types of equipment and materials offer the best opportunities for reuse?  We have recent experience of dismantling whole power stations and process plants for reuse, but what about reuse of construction materials?  On one of our projects in Ireland, we are dismantling and recovering structural steel for recertification and future construction use – during the session, a comparative risk assessment identifying hazards associated with dismantling vs. hazards associated with machine demolition weighing up the benefits of recovery for reuse.  It led to an interesting discussion, as while we have real life quantitative data for various dismantling and demolition methodologies and our comparative risk assessment methodologies are tried and tested, the real benefits of materials recovery for reuse is much more subjective.  Ultimately, the reuse of material is very important for improving our carbon footprint, reducing total energy usage and driving the circular economy so developing our knowledge of opportunities and how to mitigate safety risk to enable environmental betterment is critical for our continued development.

After a good chat over lunch the afternoon segment was centred around asbestos removal best practice and the new EU2023/2668.

Asbestos awareness, including the HSE’s recent announcements on the UK’s position regarding CAR2012 and how the new EU Directive 2023/2668, reducing the control limit, is being transposed into law across the EU.  The discussions on EU2023/2668 and the tightened control limit were interesting; the directive had to be transposed into national law by the end of 2025, with the new 10x reduced control limit posing some significant challenges to the asbestos supply chain.  The directive was transposed in Ireland at the end of 2025 and we’re currently working with our clients and contractors on implementing the new regulations before consulting with the HSA on a number of practical issues challenging asbestos removal applications.  The directive was transposed into Portuguese law at the end of May 2026 and again we’re reviewing how to be certain that we are doing everything that is required to comply with the new Decree Law.

One interesting topic of discussion regarding the new EU Directive is that both new and old Directives (and the new and old national laws) already contained the requirement to prevent exposure or reduce to as low as practicable and how wherever we work, we assure ourselves that we are meeting this requirement of the law. RVA’s experience in working on high hazard projects around the world means that it is a leader in waste management and asbestos removal. Training, continued professional development and staying at the forefront of development in the demolition industry are some of our fundamental drivers.

Read the original LinkedIn post here

If you would like to discuss decommissioning, demolition, waste management, material recovery for reuse or asbestos removal services, we’d be pleased to help.

Contact RVA for more information

Share

World Safety Day | Safety Leadership Through Teamwork and Shared Responsibility

RVA Group promoting safety leadership and teamwork on demolition projects

At RVA Group, our values guide how we show up for each other and for the work we do. Teamwork means shared responsibility, mutual respect and a shared commitment to achieving the right standards. There is no “them” and “us” — only one team.

Whether leading a safety briefing or standing shoulder-to-shoulder attending one, the expectation remains the same: safety matters equally to everyone. A strong example of this is the role RVA is playing in the GALP Refinery Demolition Project in Portugal, where being present and engaged means being part of the wider team effort. Whether through our actions or in our overalls, safety matters.

Real safety leadership starts by setting standards and helping everyone play their part in maintaining them.

Control – Communication – Competence → Safety – Security – Standards

Happy World Safety Day!

Find out more about the GALP Refinery Demolition Project

Read the original LinkedIn post here

If you’d like to discuss RVA’s approach to safety leadership, project delivery or high-hazard demolition environments, we’d be pleased to help.

Contact RVA for more information

Share

RVA Supports Safe Delivery of Explosives Demolition Events at Operating Refinery

RVA Group refinery demolition consultancy

RVA Group is pleased to share the successful completion of an independent review of a proposed explosives demolition design and methodology for a world-class client.

The project involved assessing a complex series of explosive events scheduled to take place within an operating refinery complex — a setting that demanded the highest levels of technical rigour, safety assurance and strategic planning.

Following RVA’s review and guidance, all explosives events were executed safely and successfully, without interruption to the wider refinery operations.

Projects of this nature require careful coordination, detailed technical assessment and a clear understanding of operational risk within live industrial environments. RVA’s specialist expertise helped ensure the works could proceed safely while maintaining operational continuity across the site.

Read the full Project Summary to learn more about the specialist support RVA provided

Read the original LinkedIn post here

If you’d like to discuss explosives demolition, refinery decommissioning or specialist engineering support for high-hazard projects, we’d be pleased to help.

Contact RVA for more information

Share

RVA Reflects on Health & Safety Recognition Ahead of Decom Mission Awards

RVA Group delivering safe emergency refinery recovery and demolition works

As the announcement of the Decom Mission Awards winners draws closer, RVA Group is reflecting on a project that truly embodies what these awards represent.

RVA is proud to have been shortlisted for Celebrating Excellence in Health & Safety following its work on an emergency recovery project after a major refinery fire.

The project involved operating within a complex, high-risk environment that demanded rapid response, strong leadership and a safety-first mindset at every stage. RVA provided management oversight and coordinated all health and safety activities, ensuring the controlled removal of fire-damaged assets was completed safely and without incident.

One of the defining aspects of the project was the collaboration involved throughout the recovery programme. RVA’s managers and safety coordinators worked closely with client site teams, technical specialists and contractors to stabilise conditions and continually assess a dynamic situation involving multiple hazards.

While industry recognition is greatly appreciated, the most important achievement remains that every person involved went home safe every single day of the project.

As the awards announcement approaches, RVA would like to thank everyone involved in helping deliver the project safely, professionally and successfully.

Read the full project summary

Read the original LinkedIn post here

If you’d like to discuss RVA’s approach to safety-critical recovery projects, emergency response or refinery decommissioning, we’d be pleased to help.

Contact RVA for more information

Share

Global Asbestos Awareness Week | RVA Supporting Industry Awareness

RVA Group supporting asbestos awareness and safe management of industrial facilities

RVA Group is supporting Global Asbestos Awareness Week, an important reminder for everyone responsible for managing industrial facilities and legacy assets.

Do you know where asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are within your facility? These materials were widely used across industry for decades, often in unexpected and hard-to-identify locations — which is why asbestos is often referred to as the “hidden killer”.

With experience gained from more than 1,000 projects, many involving aged process assets, RVA supports clients in procuring and managing high-quality asbestos surveys that deliver meaningful, value-adding information for contractors. Getting this right not only reduces health and safety risks, but also helps to mitigate project delays and commercial exposure, creating safer and more secure working environments.

RVA continues to support clients in understanding and managing legacy challenges responsibly, helping prepare sites for future change.

Explore RVA’s project case studies and testimonials

Read the original LinkedIn post here

If you’d like to discuss asbestos management, surveys, or preparing your site for decommissioning or redevelopment, we’d be happy to talk.

Contact RVA for more information

Share

RVA Shares Case Studies at TBM Decommissioning & Demolition Forum in Lisbon

RVA Group presenting decommissioning and demolition case studies at industry forum in Lisbon

RVA Group recently presented two case studies at TBM Group Annual Decommissioning & Demolition Forum for High-Hazard Process Plants in Lisbon.

The two-day event provided an excellent opportunity for discussion, knowledge-sharing and industry insight, bringing together professionals working across complex decommissioning and demolition environments.

During the forum, RVA delivered two key presentations:

  • Richard Vann, Managing Director, presented:“Delivering a Demolition Mega Project: 15 Years in and Still a Work in Progress.”
  • Matthew Waller, Operations Director, together with Carlos Fagundes, delivered:“Matosinhos Refinery Demolition Project – A Case Study.”

These sessions highlighted the scale, complexity and collaborative effort involved in major decommissioning and demolition programmes. RVA was pleased to contribute to the forum’s technical agenda and share insights drawn from real-world project experience.

Read the original LinkedIn post

If you’d like to learn more about RVA’s experience in high-hazard decommissioning and demolition projects, or discuss your own requirements, we’d be happy to talk.

Explore RVA’s specialist services

RVA Group presenting decommissioning and demolition case studies at industry forum in Lisbon
Share

RVA Attends EIC Conference in Saudi Arabia

Steve Andrew of RVA Group attending the Energy Industries Council conference in Dammam, Saudi Arabia

Steve Andrew, Technical and Business Development Director at RVA Group, recently attended the Energy Industries Council (EIC) Conference hosted at the Asharqia Chamber in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.

The event brought together government ministers, major operators and key supply chain partners for valuable discussions on the Kingdom’s evolving energy and industrial landscape. Key themes included Saudi Vision 2030, navigating opportunities within the Kingdom, upcoming major projects, and supplier case studies demonstrating successful project delivery.

The conference reinforced both the scale of opportunity across the region and the importance of strong collaboration between international expertise and local capability to deliver sustainable, long-term value.

RVA would like to thank the EIC team and all contributors for delivering such a well-organised and insightful event. Engagements like this are instrumental in strengthening partnerships and deepening our understanding of the future direction of the Saudi market.

Read the original LinkedIn post here

If you’d like to discuss opportunities in the Middle East or explore how RVA can support complex decommissioning and industrial projects internationally, we’d be pleased to talk.

Contact RVA to find out more

Presentation slide at the Energy Industries Council conference highlighting Saudi Arabia’s energy and industrial landscape
Asharqia Chamber venue hosting the Energy Industries Council conference in Dammam, Saudi Arabia
Share

RVA Shortlisted for Health and Safety Excellence at the 2026 Decom Mission Awards

RVA Group recognised for health and safety excellence on emergency decommissioning project

RVA Group is delighted to share that the team has been shortlisted for Celebrating Excellence in Health and Safety at the 2026 Decom Mission Awards.

The shortlist recognises RVA’s essential work on an emergency recovery project following a major refinery fire. The incident required a rapid response, clear leadership and a safety-first mindset at every stage. RVA played a central role throughout the operation, providing management oversight and coordinating all health and safety activities to ensure the controlled removal of fire-damaged assets in a highly challenging environment was completed without incident.

RVA’s experienced managers and safety coordinators worked closely with the client’s site teams, technical specialists and contractors to stabilise conditions and continually assess a dynamic situation where multiple hazards were present. Discipline, collaboration and a relentless focus on safety were key to protecting everyone on site and in the surrounding areas.

Being recognised by Decom Mission is a real honour. However, the greatest achievement remains that every person involved went home safe every day of the seven-week programme — not one cut finger was the target, and that target was met. That outcome will always be the measure that matters most.

Decom Mission Awards – Key Dates

  • Finalist interviews: 18 February 2026
  • Winners announced: 28 May 2026, The Chester Hotel, Aberdeen

Read the full Project Summary

Read the original LinkedIn post

If you’d like to learn more about RVA’s approach to safety-critical recovery projects and emergency response, we’d be happy to talk.

Contact RVA for more information

Share

RVA Group appointed to lead major and complex project to turn redundant industrial site into location for low carbon industrial development at Protos 

RVA Group leading complex industrial decommissioning project at the Protos low carbon development site

RVA Group is pleased to announce its appointment by Peel NRE (part of Peel Land) as Specialist Project Managers, Demolition Engineers and CDM Principal Designer for the decommissioning and demolition of the former CF Fertilisers ammonium nitrate production facilities, Ince, Cheshire. The project represents the first step in the redevelopment of the Ince site as part of Peel’s vision to drive clean growth by re-energising redundant sites and transforming the site and (in this case) incorporating into its adjacent Protos development.

As part of this role, RVA is delivering full planning and procurement support for specialist materials surveys and the demolition works, before supporting Peel throughout the execution phase of this transformational project. 

The scope includes:

  • Preparing sanction grade estimates for the demolition works including estimating quantity and value of scrap metal
  • Supporting engagement with local authorities on demolition planning requirements under the Buildings Act and General Permitted Development
  • Developing the technical scope of work, design risk assessments, specifications and CDM Pre‑Construction (Demolition) Information for both the asbestos surveying and demolition works
  • Managing prequalification and validating shortlisted suppliers
  • Preparing a fully detailed tender package including commercial and contract specific documentation 
  • Managing the tender process, to include tender review, assessment of proposed methodologies, programmes and resources, commercial analysis, bid clarification, and ultimately recommending preferred suppliers for both the survey and demolition activities
  • Providing ongoing site-based contractor management and supervision throughout the execution programme 
  • Supporting Peel as an ‘Intelligent Friend’ expert in asbestos surveying, decommissioning, dismantling and demolition

Having previously successfully completed major decommissioning and demolition projects for CF Fertilisers and other blue-chip clients, RVA is ideally placed to support Peel on this complex project.  The hazardous nature of any material residues from the manufacturing processes must be robustly mitigated. Additionally, the opportunities for recovering and realising full value through high value material harvesting are being managed in accordance with defined protocols to assure best value for Peel.

RVA’s ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 certified Integrated Management System is specifically designed and developed to manage complex decommissioning, dismantling and demolition projects in complex industrial environments.

RVA asbestos SME, Sean Atkin, is currently leading the project on site and supporting the surveying organisation to complete thorough and detailed HSG264-compliant surveys. Sean’s training as a BOHS P405 Asbestos Manager and BOHS P402 Asbestos Surveyor is proving invaluable in ensuring that the surveys are thorough and without caveat, so reducing risk further down the project timeline.

RVA’s Managing Director, Richard Vann said:

“We are delighted for RVA to be partnering with Peel in the next chapter for the Ince site.  The investment that Peel have made in sourcing a specialist and experienced project team for the decommissioning, asbestos removal and demolition demonstrates its commitment to EHS excellence in the project. Peel’s drive for clean growth focusing on the circular economy will help the UK achieve net zero by 2050 and support the region in its actions to achieve climate emergency targets.

This project further strengthens the excellent working relationship between Peel and RVA, and we look forward to supporting the safe and efficient delivery of the Ince decommissioning and demolition programme.”

Peel NRE Site Manager for the Ince site said:

“Peel continues to oversee a demolition programme at the former CF Fertilisers site, where RVA’s extensive experience and sector-leading expertise are proving integral to ensuring that all safety, health, environmental and commercial expectations are fully met by contractors operating on site.

Peel’s project team has been consistently impressed by RVA’s professionalism, technical capability and organisational strength. Their support is playing a key role in preparing the site for its next chapter, as it transitions toward becoming a strategic location for low‑carbon industrial development.”

Protos clusters together innovative technologies in energy generation and resource management that are leading the way on the clean growth agenda. As we move towards net zero carbon emissions, Protos can help businesses meet their sustainability objectives and develop a blueprint for the rest of the UK.

The area around Protos is at the forefront of UK manufacturing and home to a concentration of energy intensive users. Our aim is to deliver low-carbon energy directly to industrial customers through a local energy grid with a local CO2 network capturing their emissions. 

Decarbonising industry will not only help the UK meet our zero carbon goals, it will also help to protect and grow the high value manufacturing jobs that have made this region thrive.

Further information is available here: https://www.protos.co.uk/

Share